Kenny Payne

Kenneth Victor Payne (born November 25, 1966) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who serves as assistant coach for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and 195 lb (88 kg) small forward, Payne played college basketball at the University of Louisville and was a member of Louisville's 1986 NCAA championship squad. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 19th pick of the 1989 NBA draft where he was booed by a gathering of fans.[1]

Kenny Payne
Payne coaching in Kentucky's 2014 Blue-White scrimmage
New York Knicks
PositionAssistant coach
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1966-11-25) November 25, 1966
Laurel, Mississippi
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High schoolNortheast Jones
(Laurel, Mississippi)
CollegeLouisville (1985–1989)
NBA draft1989 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19th overall
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Playing career1989–2000
PositionSmall forward
Number21
Coaching career2004–present
Career history
As player:
1989–1993Philadelphia 76ers
1993–1994Tri-City Chinook
1999–2000Cairns Taipans
As coach:
2004–2009Oregon (assistant)
2010–2014Kentucky (assistant)
2014–2020Kentucky (associate HC)
2020–presentNew York Knicks (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
As player:

As assistant coach:

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Playing career

In four NBA seasons from 1989 to 1993 for the Philadelphia 76ers, he averaged 3.5 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. He was waived by the team in January 1993 after failing to live up to expectations.[1] He also played professionally overseas in Italy, Japan, Brazil, the Philippines, Cyprus, China, Argentina and Australia.[2] Following his NBA stint, Payne played one season in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in 1993–94, averaging 16.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for the Tri-City Chinook.[3]

Coaching career

Payne served as assistant coach for the University of Oregon from 2004 to 2009. From 2010 to 2014 Payne served as assistant coach for the University of Kentucky and from 2014 to 2020 he was the associate head coach.[4][5] In 2012, Payne met with Mississippi State University's athletic director about its men's basketball team's head coach vacancy,[6] though, ultimately, he was not hired.[7]

On August 11, 2020, the New York Knicks hired Payne as assistant coach under head coach Tom Thibodeau.[8]

Personal life

Payne and his wife Michelle have two children.[2]

References
  1. "Detroit, Clippers Find Game Has A Lighter Side". archive.seattletimes.com. January 7, 1993. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  2. "Kenny Payne Biography". goducks.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  3. 1994-95 Official CBA Guide and Register, page 328
  4. "Kenny Payne - Men's Basketball Coach". University of Kentucky Athletics. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  5. Lindsey, Eric (August 11, 2020). "Payne Accepts Assistant Coach Position with New York Knicks". ukathletics.com. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  6. "Report: Miss. St., Kenny Payne meet". ESPN.com. March 31, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  7. "Mississippi State hires Rick Ray". ESPN.com. April 1, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  8. "New York Knicks Name Kenny Payne Assistant Coach". NBA.com. August 11, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
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